Jewel # 388 (January 28, 2020)

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.

Malachi 3:17

To my dear Grandchildren

The Octopus

"The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.”  Psalm 145:9

In spite of its frightful appearance, the octopus is usually a very timid creature and will not attack a person unless he triess to invade its home.  There are more than 150 varieties of octopuses.  Some are less than an inch across, others are 30 feet or more from the tip of one outstretched tentacle to the tip of an opposite outstretched tentacle, but most are only about there feet across.

This odd resident of the ocean has a body with a large, dome-shaped head, containing not only its brain, but also its stomach and other organs.  These are covered by a membrane called a mantle.  It has huge, human-like eyes behind its mouth and a strong, parrot-type beak.

  

Eight snake-like tentacles stretch out from its body, each having on its underside about one hundred suction cups that attach themselves with a vice-like grip onto anything. The eight tentacles also act as feet to move along the ocean floor and as hands to pull up and over an underwater rock.

A large opening in the mantle is always moving, sucking water over its gills and out through a siphon.  This siphon can be pointed in any direction to provide jet propulsion.  It also squirts inky fluid to make a “smoke screen” when pursued.  Attached to the octopus’s skin are little bags of pigment.  When these bags are held open, various colours are exposed, which the octopus can change to appear striped, mottled or a a solid colour, to match its surroundings.  How wonderfully the Creator has designed this creature for is way of life deep in the ocean!

The octopus does have enemies—squid, whales and large eels.  As a result, it hunts at night.  In the day time it hides in a cave where it piles odd shells and rocks by the entrance.

Do you think God sees these octopuses deep on the ocean floor?  He certainly does.  The Bible tells us, “Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters” (Psalm 77:19).  God sees and cares for everything He has created, and He never takes His eye off them.

But He has a special care for you and me whom He has created “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27).  We are the only creatures invited to come to Him in faith.  His Word assures us that “the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him”  (Nahum 1:7). 

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you may say as the Apostle Paul did, “I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans  8:38-39).            

Love you all - Grandpa

Jewel # 387 (January 22, 2020)

“And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.”

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildren

Fierce-Looking Moray Eels

“They that go down to the sea . . . these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.”  Psalm 107:23-24

Over 100 specie of moral eels live among rocks and corals off the coasts of British Columbia, Canada, south to Mexico, all along the Atlantic coast of North America, as well as parts of Europe.

These ells generally do not exceed a length of five feet.  Looking at you with their mouths open showing many long, razor-shap teeth, they can frighten the bravest of men if they are not aware that moray eels aren’t usually a threat, but some can be dangerous and aggressive.  Their mouths are always open to breathe.

Moray eels are usually vividly marked or coloured.  They are an unusual combination speckled, striped, and freckled, with a large range of colours—chocolate brown, off white, black, sandy yellow, scarlet and blue.  One found off the coast of Florida is the green moray—a long thin round-bodied variety.  Another is well-named speckled, for its whole body is covered with all white dots on a dark background.         

Other unusual ones include a brown and white one named slender and another called ribbon, because its body is about the size and shape of a huge snake.  It is primarily blue, but it head and a few other parts are orange.  Still another, looking much like a speckled but in lighter white and brown shades, is known as the dragon.  

Unless threatened or frightened, moray eels usually are not aggressive toward divers who are careful not to get too close or frighten them.  One diver tells of a frighteningly classical when try spear one in the Pacific Ocean.  The moray was coning too fast for humanoid swam right at him with its mouth wide open.  He knew he couldn’t out swim it, but surprisingly it didn’t attack.  

Another diver accidentally disturbed a hidden one withe swimming mourned a sunken ship, andante an opening that happened to be the home of a small moray.  Immediately one of his fingers was caught in its mouth, feeling like it was grabbed by a pair of pliers with needle points.  The eel soon withdrew, but not before the sharp teeth left painful cuts the entire length of his finger.  A wise swimmer knows that when a moray comes his way with its wide-open mouth showing those long, sharp teeth, its time to get away!

The opening Bible verses remind us that many people familiar with ocean waters have been impressed with the wonders of God’s creation.  Another verse tells us, “Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made . . . the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all” (Nehenmiah 9:6).

Do you know Him as more than the God of creation?  

If you have accepted His beloved Son as your Saviour, He is also your Father.

Love you all - Grandpa    

Jewel # 386 (January 9, 2020)

Spurwing Plover

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.

Malachi 3:17

To my dear Grandchildren

The Crocodile’s Friend

‘Thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast.”

Psalm 36:6

We are all familiar with the vicious looking jaws and teeth of the crocodile, which are able to rip apart the flesh of almost any animal or even a person.  But while these teeth are very strong and sharp, they sometimes become infested with leeches and other parasites.  However, God in His wonderful creation has provided an unusual way to remove these parasites from the crocodile’s teeth.

At times a crocodile will crawl onto a bank of the Nile River and lie with its jaws wide open, sometimes going to sleep in that position.  Soon a little African bird, thespurwing plover (sometimes called the crocodile bird), comes along and sees the open mouth as an invitation to dinner.  It will fly down and enter right into those terrible looking jaws!  It hops around the inside of the crocodile’s mouth, pecking out and eating all the parasites.

What an amazing thing this is!  The crocodile usually snaps its jaws closed on anything that touches them—except when it is the crocodile bird!  Somehow it knows that this bird is its friend, and it will not harm the bird—truly amazing!

This bird helps the crocodile in other ways besides cleaning its teeth; it feeds on insects living on the crocodile's body.  And flies are always bothering these big creatures too.  The flies attack the  crocodile’s eyes and sometimes cause sores to develop.  This little bird goes after those flies too.

It is doubtful that either the bird or the crocodile behave this way because of any real friendship, but rather because there are benefits for both of them.  Yet we cannot help but wonder at this unusual partnership.  It is another example of how the Creator God watches over all creation.

How does this little bird know it will not be crushed in the jaws of the big reptile?  What keeps the crocodile from snapping its jaws shut when the bird is inside?  The answer is that this partnership was arranged by God, whose interest is not only in creating, but also in taking care of all His creatures.

While the crocodile does not harm the little plover, it will quickly attack anything else.  The crocodile’s habits remind us of an enemy whose evil ways can trap us.  the Bible warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  This enemy wants to keep our thoughts away from God, knowing that this will lead to unhappiness and judgment.  Our protection, through faith, is in the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, who “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him” (Hebrews 7:25).

Do you have the Saviour’s protection?

Love you all - Grandpa

Jewel # 385 (January 1, 2020)

 

Flat Tailed Water Snake 

        Red Bellied water snake 

"And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.”

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildren

Look Out for Water Snakes

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your enemy the devil, as a roaring lion . . . is seeking whom he may devour.”  1 Peter 5:8

Snakes are usually thought of as creatures that live on land, but there are many that live in lakes, ponds and even some parts of the ocean.  All water snakes are excellent swimmers and can stay underwater a long time, swimming as deep as 50 feet.

Several varieties are in various areas of Canada and the United States.  One commonly found in Ohio and Illinois is called the queen.  The Graham’s water snake is common in Pennsylvania and north into Canada.  Some others include the striped, Clark’s, flat-tailed, and red-bellied species.  The brown is the longest—up to five feet long.  These freshwater snakes are not poisonous and are usually harmless.  However, if some of the larger ones are stepped on, they can give a painful bite.

There are about 50 species in the ocean waters of the Philippines and Australia, and all are as poisonous as rattlesnakes or other pit vipers.  These are usually about three feet long and are rather pretty creatures with a variety of colours and patterns.  They often stay in deep water a long time, searching for seafood, but come to the surface for air after about 30 minutes.

Water snakes may swim in groups of a dozen or more, but sometimes there will be hundreds of them hunting together.  Some people make a living by capturing them and selling their skins to tanneries and shoemakers, to be made into belts, shoes, handbags and other items.  

Strangely, these people don’t wear gloves or special clothing in their work with these poisonous serpents.  They swim up behind a snake and grab it tightly behind its head with their right hand.  Then they quickly transfer the snake to the other hand in which three or four others may be held, before swimming to a boat where they are quickly killed and stowed away for skinning later.

In the Bible, Satan is referred to as “that old serpent, which is the Devil” (Revelation 20:2), and as “a roaring lion,” as quoted in our opening verse.  Satan is described as a serpent because he wants to sneak into our lives with evil thoughts and like a fierce lion he will harm us in any way he can.  He wants to keep us away from the Lord Jesus who loves and cares for us.

In a wonderful contrast, the Lord Jesus is called “the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).  When Satan tempts you to do anything bad or evil, ask the Lord Jesus to help you to be strong .  He promises, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me”  (Psalm 50:15). 

Love you all - Grandpa

Jewel # 384 (Dec. 23, 2019)

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I 

make up MY JEWELS.

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildren

The Prickly Hedgehog

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, 

by My great power and by My outstretched arm.  

Jeremiah 27:5

Unless you have traveled in northern Europe, Asia, southern and eastern Africa or New Zealand, it is not likely that you have ever seen a wild hedgehog.

There are people in England who make friends with hedgehogs and tame them by setting out food at night, which is when these animals do their hunting.  They usually eat any kind of insect, slug, caterpillar, small mammal or snake they may come across as well as leaves, nuts, seeds and birds’ eggs.  And this is why some people keep them as pets—to get rid of insects and other house pests.

Although when fully grown they are only about nine inches long, the Creator has provided these unusual little animals with an excellent means of protection from harm.  Except for their smooth heads, the backs of hedgehogs are covered with a complete armour of sharp, bristly spines (like a porcupine’s) down to their stubby tails.  These spines normally lie flat while the hedgehogs are resting or searching for food.  But when a dog or other animal threatens them, they roll into round balls, tucking their heads into their chests and drawing their legs up tight, which leaves the sharp spines pointing in every direction.  A dog or other creature that is stupid enough to grab this black, prickly ball in its mouth immediately yelps in pain and is left with some of those spines stuck in its mouth, nose or tongue—a rather painful lesson to learn!

Hedgehogs have this name because they make their homes under bushy hedges, hiding there in the daytime and coming out only at night.  A male and female pair stay together throughout their lives.  In nests of woven moss and grass, they raise three or four little ones each year.  The young ones’ spines at first are soft and few in number, making them look like young birds.  Hedgehogs hibernate in winter, but may come briefly to search for food and then promptly return to the nest.

These funny little creatures remind us again of the pleasure our Lord, the Creator, had in bringing so many varieties of life into the world.  But we read in the Bible that His greatest delights are with men and women, boys and girls.  For all who will accept the Lord Jesus as their Savour, He has prepared a place in heaven where all will be peace and love, which will be a wonderful change from this world of sin, sickness and death.  Have you heard or read that wonderful message,“Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 144:15)?  

Have you confessed to Him your need of a Saviour and accepted His wonderful promise of eternal life?    

Love you all - Grandpa    

    

Jewel # 383 (Dec. 12, 2019)

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord, of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.”

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildren

The Big Gobbler

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.   Psalm 50:11 

The thanksgiving holiday is a time when many homes have a turkey dinner.  This is a custom that started over 200 years ago when the Pilgrims made a feast to thank God for their bountiful crops.  

Native Americans who were invited brought wild turkeys, and this tasty meat proved to be so popular that the annual feast usually includes roast turkey.

The wild turkey, which lives throughout much of North America, is a resourceful creature.  It has excellent sight and can spot intruders before they can come near.  Its bronze colours help it to blend into the brush.  It can run from danger at speeds of 15 miles an hour or take to the air at more than 50 miles an hour!

A wild tom is an interesting sight, particularly when he is seeking a mate.  He approaches a hen with loud gobbles, and the pouch-like area at the front of his throat, called a wattle, becomes brilliant red.  With his breast and body feathers puffed out, he spreads his wings to the ground and fans out his multi-coloured tail, then struts around in a proud manner.

The hen makes her nest in dry leaves for the four-week incubation of a dozen eggs.  Almost immediately after hatching, the chicks can feed themselves, and the hen trains them to  find nuts, berries, fruit, seeds and insects.  They are not aware of it, but we know it is the Creator’s care that provides for all their needs.  The Bible says, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap . . . yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26).  He certainly does count us “much better than they” and wants you and me not only to know of His deep love for us, but His wonderful invitation to live with Him in His heavenly home.

As soon as the young turkeys can fly, they leave the nest and roost in trees at night, which is much safer.  In about two years, they are fully grown and weigh from 20 to 30 pounds.

If a rattle snake shows up, the hens puff out their feathers, and with loud hissing they usually frighten it away.  But if it continues to threaten them, a tom turkey soon shows up, and the snake is doomed.  Striking the tom, all it gets is a mouthful of feathers.  The tom’s sharp beak soon kills this enemy. 

These birds of the forest are clever, but the Bible tells us God has made us wiser that they are (Job 35:11).  This wisdom is given so that we might seek the Lord and answer His promise:  “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me” (Proverbs 8:17).  

Are you wise enough to follow God’s instruction?    

Love you all - Grandpa  

Jewel # 382 (Dec. 4, 2019)

Common Marmoset                 Pygmy Marmoset

Golden Marmoset

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.

Malachi 3:17

To my dear grandchildren

The Lively Marmosets

Consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above,

and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”  

Deuteronomy 4:39

If you think monkeys in the zoo are interesting, you would really enjoy seeing the miniature marmosets in the rain forests of Central and South America and Mexico.  These are true monkeys but are the world’s smallest ones.  With few exceptions, a full-grown marmoset is only about the size of a small kitten, but at first glance their long, furry tails make them look nearly twice as large.

They are captivating little creatures, with small round faces surrounded by a long cap of white fur.  The rest of their fur is a variety of colours.  Their diet is made up of fruits, insects and the green stems and leaves of shrubs and tees.

Unlike most animals, baby marmosets are cared for mostly by their fathers.  It is not uncommon to see a tiny one clinging to its father’s back as he scampers through the trees, but at feeding time it goes back to its mama.

God has given us marmosets in many varieties, one of which is known the golden marmoset, named for its bright, silky, golden fur.  It is truly a beautiful little animal.  But perhaps the most graceful of all is one called silky marmoset.  Its fur also has a golden sheen but is more chestnut in colour.

The smallest is understandably named the pygmy marmoset.  It is only about the size of a large mouse.  Its lovable appearance includes long, soft fur behind its ears, draping over both sides of its head, like an expensive cape and almost hiding its pretty face and large mouth.  The rest of its fur is rather dark, and its long tail is circled with light-coloured rings.  Many people consider the pygmy marmoset the prettiest of all monkeys, large or small.

Another, almost as small, is called the buffy-headed marmoset.  Its light-brown face, inquisitive, dark-rimmed eyes and black chin whiskers account for its name.  Its heavily furred arms and legs are dark or light brown or sometimes blackish.  This one lives in small groups apart from the others, and it is difficult to get more than a quick glance at one as it scampers through the lower branches of the deep jungles of Brazil where it lives.

It’s good to know these interesting creatures are always under the Creator’s care, as the Bible verse tells us: “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).  Have you ever thanked Him for His extra-special care over you and His love in providing a way of salvation for you? Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?  

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Proverbs 10:13) 

Love you all - Grandpa